Albi Cathedral

I've already shown you the inside of Albi Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Saint Cecilia, as well as glimpses of the outside and neighboring streets and buildings. Today, let me show you the outside in more detail.

Although it's not too far from my hometown and closer to Toulouse, where I went to college, I strangely only visited a couple of times. Probably because it wasn't on my radar when I was younger. And nowadays, with my tendency to live in foreign countries, I don't have many opportunities to visit. (so, these pictures are quite old, from 2011, but I seriously doubt its appearance has changed since then.)

Built between 1282 and 1380, the cathedral is the largest brick cathedral in the world.
Here are a few numbers to give you an idea of its size:

• height of the spire: 78 m.
• height of the walls: 40 m.
• height of the vaults: 30 m.
• total length: 113.5 m (100 m indoors).
• total width: 35 m (30 m indoors).

Built as a symbol of Christianity’s renewal in the area following the Albigensian Crusade, it stands alongside the adjacent Bishop’s Palace, also known as the Berbie Palace. Both sites were named UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2010.

Built towards the end of the Middle Ages, the building is heavily influenced by the early Italian Renaissance, especially the interior, as you may have already noticed.

During the French Revolution, it was nearly destroyed, as were many other symbols of the Ancien Régime, but it was saved at the last minute when a local architect, Jean-François Mariès, appealed to the Ministry of the Interior. To further protect the cathedral, it was included on the list of Historical Monuments a few decades later. Renovations, including some additions, were also made in the 19th century.

In short, it's an amazing and unique building.

So, if you’re ever in southwestern France, don't be like me and don't wait decades to visit Albi Cathedral.

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Thanks for reading.

Until next time.

All the best,

David